Bachelor of Science, Biology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Research Interests

Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) rank as the number one killer of all Americans. The human health significance and economic impact of primary CVD and its treatment are clear. One major form of CVD is termed 'atherosclerosis' which indicates a hardening of the arteries due to inflammation, deposits of fat and cholesterol, and abnormal localized growth of vascular smooth muscle. From the mechanistic perspective, abnormal growth of vascular smooth muscle is involved not only in the pathogenesis and evolution of a primary atherosclerotic plaque but also in the iatrogenic complications that often follow therapeutic intervention.

In broad terms, the primary focus of research in Dr. Tulis' laboratory involves elucidation of the molecular, cellular, and functional mechanisms that underlie aberrant vascular smooth muscle growth. Cyclic nucleotide signaling is of particular interest in these studies as these events regulate a wide range of homeostatic and pathophysiologic actions. Specific areas of study in Dr. Tulis' lab include elucidation of cyclic GMP- versus cyclic AMP-dependent processes, identification and characterization of potential cyclic nucleotide-regulating systems, and elucidation of the functional impact of these molecular and cellular signals. Experimental approaches in these studies utilize a wide variety of functional, molecular, and genetic assays and include whole animal models, in vitro cell culture, and ex vivo tissue explants. Results from these studies are expected to shed light on some novel and promising strategies that could be used to minimize the severity of vascular growth disorders and may offer beneficial prospects for further study in basic science research and human-based clinical studies.